Washer and/or Dryer Comprising a Door

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a washer and/or dryer ( 1 ) comprising a body ( 2 ) and a door ( 3 ) that provides access into the body ( 2 ) and that has a ring shaped inner door ( 4 ) forming the portion thereof facing the inside of the body ( 2 ), a ring shaped outer door ( 5 ) that forms the portion thereof facing the outside of the body ( 2 ) and that is fixed onto the inner door ( 4 ) so that their inner faces face each other, a skirt ( 6 ) that is squeezed between the inner door ( 4 ) and the outer door ( 5 ), a transparent door ( 8 ) having a hub ( 7 ) extending towards the inside of the body ( 2 ) and a circular gasket ( 9 ) that is all around squeezed between the transparent door ( 8 ) and the inner door ( 4 ) and that provides leak-proofing against the humid air forming inside the body ( 2 ).

The present invention relates to a washer and/or dryer having a door.

In washer and/or dryers, a door is used which provides access into the body in order to load and unload the laundry. The said door generally comprises a transparent door placed in between an inner and outer door, both in ring shape. During washing and/or drying, hot and/or humid air forming inside the drum may leak outside from the door region and jeopardize the user's safety, and may also cause steam formation on the transparent door, preventing the inside of the washer and/or dryer from being seen.

In the state of the art, gaskets providing leak-proofing are placed between the inner door and the transparent door in order to solve this problem.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP1899524, a dryer is explained comprising a gasket with a cross-section in form of an acute-angled triangle.

However, in the state of the art embodiments difficulties arise in terms of mounting the gasket to the inner door.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer and/or dryer wherein the gasket is mounted between the transparent door and the inner door easily and by using fewer number of elements.

The door used in the washer and/or dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises more than one pin disposed on the inner door and more than one hole that are arranged on the gasket placed between the inner door and the transparent door and that are fitted over the pins. By means of the pins and the holes, the gasket is provided to be properly positioned on the inner door and fixed thereon without requiring any additional elements.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pins on the inner door are integrated with the inner door. In this embodiment, preferably the inner door is produced together with the pins in a single mould by plastic injection method. Thus, need for fixing the pins onto the inner door by a different method is eliminated.

In an embodiment of the present invention, there are a large number of pins placed at equal intervals on the ring-shaped inner door. Thus, the gasket is enabled to be properly aligned in its entirety by means of the pins.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the gasket comprises a base placed between the inner door and the skirt. The holes are situated on the outer side of the base. On the end of the base facing the hub, an extension is disposed parallel to the hub and so as to bear against the hub. The extension is placed between the lateral side of the inner door and the hub. In this embodiment, on the free end of the extension there is a tongue that protrudes outwards from the point where the inner door ends and that extends towards the hub and bears against the hub. The tongue, the extension and the base provide the improvement of the leak-proofing at the connection point of the inner door and the transparent door.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a slot is formed along the intersection line of the base and the extension. On the door, a housing onto which the slot is fitted when the holes are mounted over the pins is arranged at the same level with the slot. Thus, the gasket is provided to be snap-fitted over the inner door.

In an embodiment of the present invention, on the tongue there is a bend that enables the tongue to be of flexible, supple structure like a hinge. Thus, the gasket is provided to stick onto the hub at the desired level.

In an embodiment of the present invention, protrusions are formed on the face of the extension that bears against the inner door. Thus, an efficient leak-proofing is provided between the extension and the inner door.

In an embodiment of the present invention, on the inner face of the inner door there is a rib that laterally surrounds the hub and the gasket base and that extends from the inner door towards the outer door. Thus, an efficient leak-proofing is provided between the inner door and the outer door.

The model embodiments related to a washer and/or dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

FIG. 1—is the perspective view of a washer and/or dryer.

FIG. 2—is the exploded view of the door.

FIG. 3—is the rear perspective view of the door.

FIG. 4—is the partial cross-sectional view of the door.

FIG. 5—is the front view of the inner face of the inner door.

FIG. 6—is the front view of the gasket.

FIG. 7—is the partial cross-sectional view of the gasket.

FIG. 8—is the partial cross-sectional view of the inner door.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washer and/or dryer

2. Body

3. Door

4. Inner door

5. Outer door

6. Skirt

7. Hub

8. Transparent door

9. Gasket

10. Pin

11. Hole

12. Base

13. Extension

14. Tongue

15. Slot

16. Housing

17. Bend

18. Rib

The washer and/or dryer (1) comprises

-   -   a body (2) and     -   a door (3) that provides access into the body (2) in order to         place the laundry therein.

The door (3) comprises

-   -   a ring shaped inner door (4) forming the portion thereof facing         the inside of the body (2) and     -   a ring shaped outer door (5) that forms the portion thereof         facing the outside of the body (2) and that is fixed onto the         inner door (4) so that their inner faces face each other,     -   a skirt (6) that is squeezed between the inner door (4) and the         outer door (5) and a transparent door (8) having a hub (7)         extending towards the inside of the body (2) and     -   a circular gasket (9) that is all around squeezed between the         transparent door (8) and the inner door (4) and that provides         leak-proofing against the humid air forming inside the body (2).

The door (3) used in the washer and/or dryer (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises,

-   -   more than one pin (10) disposed on the inner door (4) and     -   more than one hole (11) that is disposed on the gasket (9) and         that provides the gasket (9) to be properly positioned on the         inner door (4) by being seated onto the pins (10).

Thus, the gasket (9) is provided to be mounted onto the inner door (4) easily and without any errors, and moreover need for using additional elements for the assembly is eliminated.

During the assembly of the door (3), first the gasket (9) is seated onto the inner door (4) so that the pins (10) on the inner door (4) are fitted into the holes (11) on the gasket (9). Thereafter, the assembly process is completed by placing and securing the transparent door (8) and the outer door (5). When the assembly of the door (3) is completed, the gasket (9) remains between the inner door (4) and the transparent door (8).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pins (10) are produced with the inner door (4) in an integrated manner. Thus, ease of production is provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the door (3) comprises the pins (10) that are placed all around the inner door (4). Thus, the gasket (9) is provided to be mounted onto the inner door (4) in a balanced manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the gasket comprises a base (12) with the holes (11) arranged thereon, that is seated onto the inner door (4) and squeezed between the skirt (6) and the inner face of the inner door (4), an extension (13) that extends almost perpendicularly to the base (12) and that is squeezed between the lateral side of the hub (7) facing the inner door (4) and the hub (7), and a tongue (14) that extends from the extension (13) towards the hub (7) and that provides leak-proofing by bearing against the hub (7). Thus, leak-proofing is efficiently provided between the inner door (4) and the transparent door (8).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the gasket (9) comprises an all-around slot (15) situated at the connection point of the base (12) and the extension (13). In this embodiment, the door (3) comprises an all-around housing (16) arranged on the inner door (4), onto which the slot (15) is fitted. Thus, the gasket (9) is provided to be mounted onto the inner door (4) in a secure manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the gasket (9) comprises a bend (17) that is disposed on the tongue (14) and that provides the tongue (14) to be separated into two portions that can move with respect to each other by stretching. Thus, the tongue (14) is provided to stick onto hub (7) in the desired amount.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the extension (13) facing the inner door (4) is of indented configuration. Thus, leak-proofing between the extension (13) and the inner door (4) is improved.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the door (3) comprises a rib (18) that is situated on the inner face of the inner door (4), that extends towards the outer door (5) almost perpendicularly to the inner door (4) and that laterally bears against the hub (7) and the base (12). Thus, leak-proofing between the inner door (4) and the outer door (5) is improved.

In the washer and/or dryer (1) of the present invention, the gasket (9) providing leak-proofing between the transparent door (8) and the inner door (4) is provided to be mounted in an easy, secure and low-cost manner.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention. 

1. A washer and/or dryer (1) comprising a body (2) and a door (3) that provides access into the body (2) in order to place the laundry therein and that has a ring shaped inner door (4) forming the portion thereof facing the inside of the body (2) and a ring shaped outer door (5) that forms the portion thereof facing the outside of the body (2) and that is fixed onto the inner door (4) so that their inner faces face each other, a skirt (6) that is squeezed between the inner door (4) and the outer door (5) and a transparent door (8) having a hub (7) extending towards the inside of the body (2) and a circular gasket (9) that is all around squeezed between the transparent door (8) and the inner door (4) and that provides leak-proofing against the humid air forming inside the body (2), characterized by the door (3) having more than one pin (10) disposed on the inner door (4) and more than one hole (11) that is disposed on the gasket (9) and that provides the gasket (9) to be properly positioned on the inner door (4) by being seated onto the pins (10).
 2. A washer and/or dryer (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the pins (10) that are integrated with the inner door (4).
 3. A washer and/or dryer (1) as in claim 2, characterized by the pins (10) that are situated all around the inner door (4).
 4. A washer and/or dryer (1) as in claim 3, characterized by a base (12) with the holes (11) arranged thereon, that is seated onto the inner door (4) and squeezed between the skirt (6) and the inner face of the inner door (4), an extension (13) that extends almost perpendicularly to the base (12) and that is squeezed between the lateral side of the hub (7) facing the inner door (4) and the hub (7), and a tongue (14) that extends from the extension (13) towards the hub (7) and that provides leak-proofing by bearing against the hub (7).
 5. A washer and/or dryer (1) as in claim 4, characterized by the gasket (9) comprising an all-around slot (15) situated at the connection point of the base (12) and the extension (13) and by the door (3) comprising a housing (16) arranged on the inner door (4), onto which the slot (15) is fitted.
 6. A washer and/or dryer (1) as in claim 5, characterized by the gasket (9) comprising a bend (17) that is disposed on the tongue (14) and that provides the tongue (14) to be separated into two portions that can move with respect to each other by stretching.
 7. A washer and/or dryer (1) as in claim 6, characterized by the door (3) comprising a rib (18) that is situated on the inner face of the inner door (4), that extends towards the outer door (5) almost perpendicularly to the inner door (4) and that laterally bears against the hub (7) and the base (12).
 8. A washer and/or dryer (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the pins (10) that are situated all around the inner door (4).
 9. A washer and/or dryer (1) as in claim 1, characterized by a base (12) with the holes (11) arranged thereon, that is seated onto the inner door (4) and squeezed between the skirt (6) and the inner face of the inner door (4), an extension (13) that extends almost perpendicularly to the base (12) and that is squeezed between the lateral side of the hub (7) facing the inner door (4) and the hub (7), and a tongue (14) that extends from the extension (13) towards the hub (7) and that provides leak-proofing by bearing against the hub (7).
 10. A washer and/or dryer (1) as in claim 9, characterized by the gasket (9) comprising an all-around slot (15) situated at the connection point of the base (12) and the extension (13) and by the door (3) comprising a housing (16) arranged on the inner door (4), onto which the slot (15) is fitted.
 11. A washer and/or dryer (1) as in claim 9, characterized by the gasket (9) comprising a bend (17) that is disposed on the tongue (14) and that provides the tongue (14) to be separated into two portions that can move with respect to each other by stretching.
 12. A washer and/or dryer (1) as in claim 9, characterized by the door (3) comprising a rib (18) that is situated on the inner face of the inner door (4), that extends towards the outer door (5) almost perpendicularly to the inner door (4) and that laterally bears against the hub (7) and the base (12). 